Cheers! It was a great party

CLAIRE CONNELL

The screwcaps were off and the wine was flowing on Saturday as 8000 ticketholders enjoyed the 26th Marlborough Wine Festival.

The region's biggest and best-known annual event attracted people from around New Zealand, as the weather gods turned on the sunshine, and food and wine were plentiful within the 60 tents at Brancott Estate.

The day began at 10.30am and featured performers Sarah Brown, LA Mitchell and Uncle Monkey. The Phoenix Foundation and The Black Seeds got the crowds partying later in the day.

First-time festival-goer Jo Gowers came from Wellington with eight friends for the event.

"It's a beautiful day. The food is awesome. I'm loving it," she said.

Jan Wilson, of Rotorua, had booked flights in September for her and six friends. The group were looking forward to a day relaxing under the shade of the trees.

For the three Alway family members from Wellington Lisa, Colin and two-year-old son Zach the festival was the chance to bring their British friends to Marlborough for a five-day holiday. While a pregnant Lisa missed out on the wine, she was looking forward to the food and entertainment.

For some, the festival was simply a chance to catch up with old friends.

Girls on Tour: The Sequel was made up of 10 woman dressed in pink who travelled in convoy from Christchurch for their annual pilgrimage. Leader Christine Flaus had been coming every year for 20 years with the friends she first met in primary school. Too many additions over the years to the original Girls on Tour group (now with 20 members) led to Christine and others forming a breakaway.

The group had planned to visit wineries yesterday before leaving today.

Will she be back for another 20?

"Probably, time permitting!"

Marlborough Hospice Trust volunteer Anna Charles-Jones, or Cupid's helper at the Valentine's Day event, had spent 2008 in eastern Europe and had waited all year for the festival.

"It's one of the most fun days of the year."

Stallholders were also enjoying themselves. First-time stallholder Chris Darling, of The Darling wine label, wasn't sure how the day was going to go. But it turned out fine.

"It's good marketing and exposure, and it's fun."

Villa Maria Estate cellar manager Nick Best said savignon blanc and riesling were the most popular wines of the day.

The Fashion in the Vines competition was won by Lee Cooper, of Blenheim, who wore a flower-festooned red dress from Edible Woman.

Saint Clair and Finestkind catering won the best wine and food match with Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay 2007 and scallops with a macadamia nut sprinkle. Wither Hills' salmon and coconut creation won the best festival dish, and newcomer Yealands Estate won the best site.

St John Ambulance advanced paramedic Sue Drummond said the day had been steady, with minor incidents. St John had attended to about 50 people, with about 12 intoxicated people from 3.30pm.

"Everyone has been really sensible by drinking a lot of water and keeping hydrated," she said.

Blenheim police constable Rob Dekker said the generally well-behaved crowd caused few problems. He said the police had encountered two or three heavily intoxicated people they had to "find homes for" or locate friends.

Constable Bill Talbot said 19 people were dealt with by the police or ambulance because their intoxication levels were "unacceptable". This included two people who were taken to Wairau Hospital with alcohol poisoning.

Mr Talbot said five people were removed from the event because of their level of intoxication, and five were detained in the police van at the venue for detoxification.

He said four of those had sobered up enough to take a bus home when the festival ended, but one was taken to the Blenheim police station and released a few hours later.

Another man who was seen in a "comatose state" at the end of the event was being attended to by his friends, who were a nurse and a doctor, Mr Talbot said. Four or five people suffered minor cuts caused by broken wine glasses.

Fashion winner and more pictures on page 11.

- The Marlborough Express